2. AMR Deployment Managing All That Data

3. The Typical Process Buy Meter Test Meter Ship Meter Issue Install Setup Account Start Billing Remov e Meter

4. The Typical Process – Affected Systems Buy Update plant accounting and meter records Test Update meter records Ship Update Inventory Issue Update Inventory Install Update CIS Setup Account Update CIS Start Billing Update CIS with readings monthly Remove Update meter records & CIS

5. The Modified Process Buy Meter & AMR Test Meter & AMR Ship Meter Issue Install Setup Account Start Billing Update AMR System Remov e Meter Retrofit AMR onto Meter

6. The Modified Process – Affected Systems Buy Update plant accounting and meter records Test Update meter records Ship Update Inventory Issue Update Inventory Install Update CIS Setup Account Update CIS Start Billing Update CIS with readings monthly Update AMR System Update Meter to AMR association Remov e Update meter records & CIS Retrofit Update meter records

7. The Systems - Before Customer Relationship Managemen t Customer Information System Inventory Managemen t Work Order Managemen t Route Managemen t Meter Records System

8. The Systems - After Customer Relationship Managemen t Customer Information System Inventory Managemen t Work Order Managemen t Route Managemen t AMR System Meter Records System Outsourc e System

9. What happens during AMR Deployment? Increased Throughput Installing 1,000-5,000 meters per day Retrofitting/testing 25,000 meters per month

10. What happens during AMR Deployment? More paperwork!!

11. Adapting your logistics to high throughput You will be…

12. Adapting your logistics to high throughput Adding new steps to your process Perform more testing Performing more meter exchanges Buying more equipment Acquiring more warehouse space Hiring more personnel Qualifying and training You will be…

13. How does this affect your data?

14. Increases the volume of.. Data Entry Batch process transactions On-line System Demand Error Rate

15. How does this affect your data? May expose… Legacy system constraints Limitations in system integration System workarounds

16. How does this affect your data? Will Require… New external system interfaces New data content including… AMR Inventory Information Meter to AMR Marriage Information

17. Dealing with the errors…

18. Errors, what Errors? Errors may be caused by… Keystroke errors. They average 1 in 300 Inadequate training Incomplete processes Lack of validation High volume creates more errors… 100 errors per month goes beyond 1000/month An increase in the error rate Compounding errors More errors created by… Changes in process New data requirements New personnel

19. The Cost of Errors Time.. To correct errors Lost by delays in processing Money.. The $$ to correct errors Lost Revenue Customer Satisfaction.. Estimated Billing gets them upset Back bills upset them even more

20. Manage Those Errors or Fail! You Must Evaluate the Total Process Determine your weak links Eliminate batch processes where possible Eliminate workarounds Catch errors at the source Put validation data where it’s needed Minimize key entry of data Use barcodes or similar technology where possible

21. Managing High Throughput…

22. Optimize the Infrastructure Evaluate your metering requirements up front Work with your vendors Minimize equipment handling by… Sample test all equipment Drop shipping to cross docks Coordinate your shop workforce with the field Hire a 3rd party to do it all…

23. Using Outsourcing Services Benefits They provide a trained staff so there’s… Reduced hiring costs Reduced training costs Reduced ramp up time No temporary help needed Experience in costing these large projects They provide facilities reducing space requirements Reduced capital purchases on additional equipment Experience in handling the high volume

24. Using Outsourcing Services Managing an Outsource Service Audit for quality and performance by… Sample testing meters and AMR Perform Site Inspections Manage the data interchange between companies May include work order data Meter test and retrofit data Installable meter lists Validation information

25. Keep the Data Flowing.. Evaluate your current systems and their limitations Will they limit your throughput? Are there built in limitations Are there time constraints on processes Will these limitations require system replacement? Use batch or on-line processes? Some techniques to consider… Increase repeatability Reduce transaction counts Minimize transmission of data Use a middleware solution to minimize changes

26. The Systems – Another way Customer Relationship Managemen t Customer Information System Inventory Managemen t Work Order Managemen t Route Managemen t AMR System Meter Records System Outsourc e System Middleware

27. In Conclusion… Things to Consider Do we have the infrastructure to handle volume? Can we handle the new data requirements? Do all my systems play nicely together? Will my processes support the volume and new requirements? Will my information systems support the new processes? Will the systems I invest in continue to support us after deployment?